Improvement in corpse-preservers



(duidt iaia HENRY M. DIeeINs, or CINCINNATI, onIo.

' Letters Patent No. 113,861, dated April 18, 1811.

IMPROVEMENT IN `CORPSE-PRESERVERS.

The Schedule referred to 1n these Letters Patent and making part of the lame.

I, HENRY M. DIGGINS, of Cincinnati, Hamilton county, Ohio, have invented a new and useful Corpse- Preserver, of which the following is a specification.

Nature and bjects of the I Invention.

This is animproved form of shell or case for the preservation ot' human remains previous to sepulture, and is intended to -combine more `efi'ectually than in pre-existing devices the advantages of unit'orm coolness, with the requisite portability and other essentials.

General Descg'tption with Reference to the Drawing.

Figure l 'is a perspective view of a casket or ease embodying my invention, a cap being removed from one of the ice-replenishing apertures.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section of the sameon the line a: x, showing the non-conducting lliug and the ice in their .proper receptacles.

Figure 3 is a vertical section at the line y y.

Figure 4 is a transverse section at the line z z.

In the last two views the receptacles for the filling and icc are shown empty.

My shell consists interiorly of a double wall of' zinc or of zinced iron, A B, whose shape and dimensions are adapted to receive human remains either with or without a coffin.

The annular receptacle C thus formed has openings I) at top, through. which to insert ice or other refrigerant. This receptacle O is preferably somewhat narrower at bottom than at top, for the purpose of con,

the loor of the ice-receptacle and ofthe central chamber or receiver.

F is a Wooden sheathing, which envelops the sides, ends, and bottom of the ice-receptacle.

v G is an ontershell of timber, whoseftop portion has apertures g, which correspond with the openings D.

H are plugs or caps which close the said apertures g and D.

I is a small ventage-pipe tocarry ott the water o f condensation from the receptacle O.

The interior or body-receiving chamber is closable at top by means .of a wooden cover, J, which has secured to its under side, and parallel therewith, a sheetmetal plate, K, inclosing a space, L, to be filled with feathers or other non-conductor.

The receptacle C is so supported by cleats N within the outer shell G as to leave an iuterstice, O, which entirely envelops the sides and bottom oi' said vessel. This interstice and the space inclosed between the npper and lower plates of the cover are filled with feathers, so as to constitute a light non-conducting envelope or jacket, which, while adding very little to the weight, e'ectnally protects the interior from the heatingaction of the surrounding atmosphere.

The wooden sheathing which surrounds the ice-receptacle preventsl the chilling ofthe air and consequent precipitation of moisture in outer jacket.

A glass pane, P, in thecover, enables inspection of a thermometer, R, secured in any convenient position in the interior of the receiver. This pane I is protected by a lid, S, that is hinged to the cover J at s.

The entire casket is supported at a proper height upon feet or legs T, which legs may, if desired, be furnished with rollers or casters. 1 claim herein as new and of my invention- 1. The arrangement of wooden sheathing F, outer wooden shell Gr provided with plug H, the icc-receptacle G, and non-conducting chamber O, all arranged as and for the purpose. set forth..

2. The arrangement of the apertures D, ice-receptacle C, and receptacle g in outer shell G, said receptacle provided with `capsIzI, as and for the purpose described.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto setj my hand.

HENRY M. DIGGINS.

Witnesses GEO. H. KNIGHT,

JAMES H. LAYMIIN. 

